Are you tired of formulaic movies that keep hitting the same exact plot points and exhibiting the same exact character arcs? Are you sick and tired of seeing the same exact tropes, like the so-called “Protagonist Throw” that’s been ruining action films for years now?

One thing I love about Netflix is its commitment to showcasing films from around the world — and foreign films are great because they tend to explore styles, tones, and themes that you’d never see in mainstream Hollywood. Foreign films are breaths of fresh air in a stale landscape.

We have picked out 10 of the best foreign-language films on Netflix. You don’t have to watch the entire list, but we do recommend checking out at least 3-5 of them so you can get a true sense of how fresh and unique cinema can be when you broaden your horizons.

Whereas most zombie movies shoot for fear and suspense, Train to Busan understands that characters sit at the core of compelling cinema. Yes, the zombies are nightmarish — reminiscent of 28 Days Later — but you’re really watching this for the hope of repaired relationships.

2. Oldboy (2003)

Koreans are exceedingly good at revenge films, and one could argue that the original Oldboy paved the way for all the other revenge films of the past decade. Note that this film was remade in 2013 by Hollywood and it bombed, so steer clear of that one.

Oldboy follows a man who was kidnapped and held captive for 15 years, then released without ever knowing who kidnapped him or why. While primarily a mystery, Oldboy is intense and gruesome, particularly towards the end. Do not watch if you have a weak stomach.

Watch Oldboy on Netflix now

3. Trollhunter (2010)

Trollhunter is a suspense horror shot in the same found-footage style of The Blair Witch Project from a decade earlier. But instead of teenagers lost in a haunted forest, Trollhunter follows students who track down and document the activities of a supposed troll hunter.

It’s an incredible film that makes smart use of its framing device, and it’s awesome to see a take on trolls that’s so different than what we’ve come to expect. One word of warning: as with all found-footage movies, Trollhunter may induce motion sickness!

Amelie is about an innocent Paris girl whose goal is to live life helping those around her, and she does this by covertly intervening in their lives. But beneath her kindness are her own struggles with tragedy, loneliness, and distance.

What’s wonderful about 13 Assassins is its attention to detail, the excellent fight choreography, but most importantly, the depth of character that’s often missing from action-heavy films. Oh, and it’s graphically violent, but never to the point of glorifying it. War is ugly, and this film doesn’t shy away from showing it.

Watch 13 Assassins on Netflix now

6. Ip Man (2008)

Ip Man is a biographical drama (not documentary) about the eponymous martial arts master during Japan’s invasion of China in 1937. Left with no other choice, Ip Man is forced to train others in the practice of Wing Chun to help them defend themselves in this time of war.

What you may not realize is that Ip Man is the master who taught Bruce Lee. But don’t go into this film expecting a Bruce Lee film. Yes, the martial arts choreography is spectacular, but Ip Man goes much deeper. It’s more a drama than a martial arts film, and a great one at that.

7. Headhunters (2011)

Roger is a corporate headhunter who moonlights as an art thief. But when he unknowingly steals a valuable painting from an ex-mercenary, his life gets turned upside down.

Of all the films in this article, Headhunters is the closest to a Hollywood film — it sounds Hollywood, doesn’t it? — but it’s quite unique in style, tone, and characterization, and feels distinctly foreign. Keep in mind it’s an R-rated crime thriller, so you should expect a lot of violence and suspense.

Watch Headhunters on Netflix now

8. Force Majeure (2014)

A “force majeure” is an unavoidable chance accident that legally frees both parties in a contract from fulfilling their obligations. It’s a disturbingly fitting title for this film where a family on vacation in the French Alps gets caught in a mountainside avalanche.

Though Force Majeure is touted as a comedy drama, it isn’t laugh-out-loud funny. It’s heavy on the drama, and it’s intensely uncomfortable with how realistically it’s filmed — hard to watch in an emotional sort of way, but worth it for the one-of-a-kind experience it delivers.

Watch Force Majeure on Netflix now

9. Omar (2013)

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a touchy topic to center a film on, but Omar does it well and with respect. When an Israeli soldier is killed, a young Palestinian baker/freedom fighter is caught, forced to become an informant, and asked to betray his friends.

Everywhere you look, Omar is billed as a romance or a thriller, but it’s more of a character drama with romance and thriller elements. Looking for a conflict-drenched film dripping with moral dilemmas and suspense? Omar should be at the top of your list.

The plot of White God admittedly sounds a bit silly, or even cheesy, but the strong execution is what makes this film so noteworthy. It’s a dark tale with a message that may be seen as heavy-handed, but the performances and the climax are so good that it will definitely make you think.